After 51 years, GM closes cold-weather testing facility in Kapuskasing. Ont.

After operating for 51 years, General Motors has announced it is closing the Kapuskasing Proving Ground, a facility the automaker used to test the durability of its vehicles in cold weather.

The largest full-scale cold weather development facility in Ontario, the site covered 272 acres and included a 3.6-kilometre advanced test track along with 30 cold cells capable of reaching -45C.

In a statement to CTV News, GM Canada says testing of its vehicles had "evolved" to the point that the facility was no longer needed," GM communications director Natalie Nankil said in an email Monday.

"Our testing and validation processes prioritize continuous improvement, and we have evolved our testing capability to validate our technology at the component, system, and vehicle level."

GM didn't respond to questions about how many jobs would be lost, but Unifor 599, which represents workers at the site, said about 20 of its members are affected.

"Unifor is disappointed by General Motors’ decision to close the Kapuskasing Proving Ground, GM’s full-scale cold weather development facility in northern Ontario," the union said in an email.

"The union is engaged in discussions with GM about its decision and the impact on the approximately 20 Unifor Local 89 members affected. Unifor is committed to providing full support to our members through this difficult time."

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The facility had been used to evaluate "every GM North American vehicle for cold weather durability testing to ensure they can withstand extremely cold weather conditions," GM Canada said on its website.

"Vehicles are tested 24 hours a day, seven days a week in sub-zero temperatures for three to four months. This testing represents two years of customer driving in winter."